Some fun highlights:
Texas Longhorns
Pick: #3
Finish: #11 (106.5 points)
While Texas had the same amount of point scorers this year as point scorers that returned from last year, almost across the board each of the point scorers this year were from the B final compared to last year. Additionally, Texas scored a lot more points from relays. Overall, the Longhorns just did not perform up to any of the expectations that have come with having top-rated recruiting classes year-in and year-out since Kim Brackin took over the team. I'd be surprised if this year's meet does not provide some serious motivational fuel for the Longhorns heading into next season.
2009 Scorers (10):
Karlee Bispo (free/relays), Shelby Cullinan (diving), Leah Gingrich (fly/relays), Kathleen Hersey (fly/IM/relays), Katharine Riefenstahl (back/relays), Carlye Ellis (relays), Susana Escobar (free), Brie Powers (relays), Natalie Sacco (free) and Alexi Spann (relays).
2010 Scorers (10):
Bethany Adams (relays), Karlee Bispo (free/relays), Leah Gingrich (IM/relays), Jessica Guro (relays), Kathleen Hersey (fly/IM/relays), Brianne Powers (relays), Katharine Riefenstahl (relays), Laura Sogar (breast/relays), Alexi Spann (breast), Maren Taylor (diving).
Verdict: Complete miss; Even considering the clerical error that cost the team a pair of relays, I drastically overrated Texas in the prediction process. Texas finished with 106.5 points, a full 115.5 points lower than the points the team returned from last year.
Texas A&M
Pick: #8
Finish: #6 (311 points)
Behind Arizona, Texas A&M proved to be one of the deepest teams this year with 13 separate swimmers and divers scoring points. Julia Wilkinson and Kristen Heiss both bounced back from missing last year due to shoulder surgeries, and the rest of the team helped push the Aggies to one of the best years in the program's history.
2009 Scorers (7):
Alia Atkinson (breast/IM/relays), Melissa Hain (relays), Lindsey King (relays), Jaele Patrick (diving), Maria Sommer (relays), Sarah Woods (relays)
* Julia Wilkinson and Kristen Heiss both returned from medical redshirts.
2010 Scorers (13):
Alia Atkinson (breast/relays), Kendra Chernoff (relays), Ella Doerge (relays), Melissa Hain (IM/relays), Kristen Heiss (back/free/relays), Rita Medrano (fly), Maureen McLaine (free/relays), Jaele Patrick (diving), Janie Potvin (diving), Tess Simpson (relays), Maria Sommer (relays), Julia Wilkinson (free/IM/relays), Sarah Woods (relays)
Verdict: Close enough, but nearly a near miss; Texas A&M proved to be my most underrated prediction as a stocked senior class put together a most amazing season. I originally thought that Julia Wilkinson might not be back to full form after missing last season due to a shoulder surgery. I was most definitely wrong. Kudos to the Aggies for winning their first national championships as well with Wilkinson and Alia Atkinson picking up individual wins on the final day.
[This message has been edited by SpicewoodAg (edited 3/24/2010 2:28p).]
Texas Longhorns
Pick: #3
Finish: #11 (106.5 points)
While Texas had the same amount of point scorers this year as point scorers that returned from last year, almost across the board each of the point scorers this year were from the B final compared to last year. Additionally, Texas scored a lot more points from relays. Overall, the Longhorns just did not perform up to any of the expectations that have come with having top-rated recruiting classes year-in and year-out since Kim Brackin took over the team. I'd be surprised if this year's meet does not provide some serious motivational fuel for the Longhorns heading into next season.
2009 Scorers (10):
Karlee Bispo (free/relays), Shelby Cullinan (diving), Leah Gingrich (fly/relays), Kathleen Hersey (fly/IM/relays), Katharine Riefenstahl (back/relays), Carlye Ellis (relays), Susana Escobar (free), Brie Powers (relays), Natalie Sacco (free) and Alexi Spann (relays).
2010 Scorers (10):
Bethany Adams (relays), Karlee Bispo (free/relays), Leah Gingrich (IM/relays), Jessica Guro (relays), Kathleen Hersey (fly/IM/relays), Brianne Powers (relays), Katharine Riefenstahl (relays), Laura Sogar (breast/relays), Alexi Spann (breast), Maren Taylor (diving).
Verdict: Complete miss; Even considering the clerical error that cost the team a pair of relays, I drastically overrated Texas in the prediction process. Texas finished with 106.5 points, a full 115.5 points lower than the points the team returned from last year.
Texas A&M
Pick: #8
Finish: #6 (311 points)
Behind Arizona, Texas A&M proved to be one of the deepest teams this year with 13 separate swimmers and divers scoring points. Julia Wilkinson and Kristen Heiss both bounced back from missing last year due to shoulder surgeries, and the rest of the team helped push the Aggies to one of the best years in the program's history.
2009 Scorers (7):
Alia Atkinson (breast/IM/relays), Melissa Hain (relays), Lindsey King (relays), Jaele Patrick (diving), Maria Sommer (relays), Sarah Woods (relays)
* Julia Wilkinson and Kristen Heiss both returned from medical redshirts.
2010 Scorers (13):
Alia Atkinson (breast/relays), Kendra Chernoff (relays), Ella Doerge (relays), Melissa Hain (IM/relays), Kristen Heiss (back/free/relays), Rita Medrano (fly), Maureen McLaine (free/relays), Jaele Patrick (diving), Janie Potvin (diving), Tess Simpson (relays), Maria Sommer (relays), Julia Wilkinson (free/IM/relays), Sarah Woods (relays)
Verdict: Close enough, but nearly a near miss; Texas A&M proved to be my most underrated prediction as a stocked senior class put together a most amazing season. I originally thought that Julia Wilkinson might not be back to full form after missing last season due to a shoulder surgery. I was most definitely wrong. Kudos to the Aggies for winning their first national championships as well with Wilkinson and Alia Atkinson picking up individual wins on the final day.
[This message has been edited by SpicewoodAg (edited 3/24/2010 2:28p).]